Research: Recovery of Microorganisms in Nonsterile, Reusable, Loaned Orthopedic Implants

Currently, there are two orthopedic implant types: (1) Sterile implants (e.g., joint prostheses) are distributed in a ready-for-use sterile fashion, and (2) nonsterile implants (e.g., plates, screws, Schanz pins, intramedullary rods) are processed by a healthcare facility's central sterile service department (CSSD). The current study evaluated processed implants for presence of coagulase-negative staphylococci, which was observed in 30% of the cortical screws, spongy screws, and Schanz pins (37 total samples) processed by a CSSD. Some samples were resistant to antimicrobial agents, thereby demonstrating that risk exists in the current methods used in the processing of nonsterile implants. Also of important note, nonsterile implants are commonly loaned worldwide. Loaned implantable materials should not be processed in the same manner as materials routinely prepared in the CSSD, as it is not possible to know the quality of the cleaning performed before the materials are returned to the loaning company. It is not uncommon for hospitals to receive loaned materials with organic residues.